Here, a rise in the minimum wage from Wc to Wm would lead to a decrease in employment from Ec to Em. That's the theory.

Some studies have demonstrated that the impact of a rise in minimum wage wouldn't harm workers, and could have potentially positive economic effects to boot.

There is, however, evidence that teenagers could be adversely impacted by the wage increase.

From a June 2012 Cato Institute policy analysis by former Department of Labor deputy assistant secretary Mark Wilson a rise in the minimum wage coincides historically with a decrease in the rate of teenage employment: